Paper will be replaced by IPads as New Zealand healthcare embraces tech.
Healthcare around the world constantly sees amazing technological changes aimed at finding new ways to treat illnesses. A recent innovative riff on the popular Fitbit device introduces heartbeat monitoring software to detect and curtail the risk of heart attacks. In the same vein, external-scan diabetes monitoring technology is starting to become a feasible replacement for finger prick testing. However, these technologies are not yet available in New Zealand, reflecting a wider trend of delayed investment in developing healthcare technology here.
Leading healthcare researcher Dr. Robyn Whittaker of the National Institute for Health Innovation said "It's interesting that NZ is in the stand out quadrant in a new global [technology] report, but I think health has been lagging behind other industries in digitalisation1."
Embracing healthcare digitalisation is just what the doctor ordered and will be key to unlocking New Zealand's technological growth, as will investing in working with trained IT professionals who can lead this change.
The New Zealand technology healthcare scene
New Zealand healthcare is slowly looking to technology to replace older medical practices. Doctors are swapping paper charts and stethoscopes for iPads and Computers on Wheels, storing information centrally on one device. With this advanced technology, backed by cyber protection for patient's confidential data, doctors can effectively battle all kinds of viruses.
Indeed, by 2018, the forecasted spending on healthcare IT in New Zealand will reach over $250 million2. However, funding is mostly centralised in New Zealand's main cities, and not all healthcare centres are willing to try new medical technology.
Unlocking healthcare technology growth
Despite these progressions, New Zealand healthcare still lags behind the wider national trend to embrace technology. Be it uncertainty over the financial benefits of change or unwillingness of decision makers to try something new, Kiwis need to change this mindset. Technology has limitless benefits to streamlining New Zealand healthcare, from decreasing patient waiting times and limiting doctor's administrative tasks, to improving procedures and many more.
The New Zealand government must continue to back businesses who introduce innovative technology to healthcare, and medical professionals need to be willing to embrace the help of IT aficionados in improving healthcare. Smart Kiwis, working together, will have knock-on benefits for generations to come.
There are currently only 6,000 IT professionals employed in the medical technology sector3.
Trained IT professionals will be key in supporting this movement towards a greater use of healthcare technology – and we have them in spades. Contact us if you think we can help.
1 – National Institute for Health Innovation via Make Lemonade press release.
2 – International Data Corporation Health Insights study.
3 – Medical Technology Association of New Zealand report
